In 2012, Italians spent 35 percent of their food budget in cafés and restaurants, above the European Union average.
Forget Facebook, Twitter and Google+: this real-life social network is alive and kicking, and somewhat twitchy, given its caffeine intake. Unlike the virtual world, however, membership comes with a fee: Italians are willing to spend 1,200 euro per year, 32 percent more than the French and 53 percent more than Germans. According to a report presented this month by the Italian federation of commercial businesses, Italians continue patronising their local coffee shops. It is a surprising fact in a country that is constantly scrimping and saving in a myriad of ways.
In this issue, The Florentine columnist Deirdre Pirro paints a portrait of coffee king Luigi Lavazza and his global empire, while TF’s culture editor Jane Fortune examines Florence’s historic coffeehouses and the role they have played in time.
So, this Thanksgiving, let us express our gratitude to Italy’s caffè culture, one of the untold perks of society in il bel Paese.
